The Hughes brothers, Jack and Quinn, have secured their spots on the United States Men’s Olympic Hockey team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. Jack Hughes, a player for the New Jersey Devils, expressed his excitement about joining his older brother, Quinn, who plays defense for the Minnesota Wild.
In an exclusive interview with E! News, Jack shared his anticipation, stating, “I think it’s not a shock—it’s a work in progress. Quinn was one of the first six players named. Then with where my game’s been at, I obviously thought I was in a good spot. But when it gets confirmed, you’re just so happy.”
The Hughes family is also enthusiastic about the opportunity. Jack noted that his relatives have planned to travel to Italy to support the brothers. “It’s not just me and Quinn that are going over there. We got a bunch of cousins going over, friends, my parents—everyone that’s helped us get to this point can now share with us and experience what we’re gonna be doing, too,” he explained.
Playing alongside Quinn, who is 26 years old, is particularly meaningful to Jack, 24. “I never really get to play with him. I only see him like two times during the whole hockey season,” he remarked. “So just to be able to spend the time with him over the two, three weeks and be able to compete with him and play with him—it’s a dream for us to play with each other, and to be able to do it in the Olympics is extremely special.”
Jack’s experience playing with family extends to his younger brother, Luke Hughes, who is also a teammate on the Devils. Discussing the dynamics of playing with siblings, Jack stated, “100 percent you’d rather play with your brothers. I don’t know who you ask; if they tell you they want to play against they’re probably lying to you.”
As the Olympic Games approach, Jack is focused on maintaining his performance in the National Hockey League. He emphasized the importance of staying healthy, revealing his reliance on Mucinex to combat any potential cold or illness. “I use Mucinex, that’s the first thing,” he explained. “When you’re a hockey player, or any athlete, you want to be feeling good, and you can’t let a cold or not feeling well drag you down.”
Jack also highlighted Mucinex’s commitment to supporting youth hockey, noting the company’s recent donation of $20,000 to the USA Hockey Foundation. This initiative resonates with Jack, who values the development of young athletes.
With the NHL season in full swing, Jack mentioned the intensity of the schedule leaves little room for distraction. “You’re playing so many games. You don’t even think of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays—it’s game day, not a game day, back to game day. For me, it’s just going through my routine,” he said. This routine includes a pre-game meal of chicken and sweet potatoes, along with a significant nap to prepare for the game.
As the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics is set for February 6, 2026, Jack reflected on the journey his family has taken to support his hockey career. He expressed his hope that his parents, Jim Hughes and Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, can take pride in their sacrifices. “My whole childhood—they had three boys, they were sacrificing so much for us,” he said. “Now I hope they can sit back and enjoy all the things that are coming for us now. With me and Luke playing together, and the Olympics coming up, it’s just an unbelievable time. Hopefully, they can sit back and be proud of what they’ve given us.”
Jack and Quinn Hughes’ participation in the 2026 Milano Cortina Games marks a significant milestone not only in their careers but also for their family, who will be there to witness their achievements on one of the world’s most prestigious athletic stages.
